Found The Old Starbucks Logo - Too Sexy For It's Day

Found this interesting blog entry on the changes that happened at the Starbucks logo to make it less sexy and more mainstream.  The first full body mermaid/siren must have offended somebody so we only get her bust now.
See Blog From Dead Programmers' Cafe on The Starbucks Siren

Oh, my opinion on the Starbucks (SBUX) the stock? It's expensive, it stays expensive.  And Starbucks keeps turning in phenomenal growth.  I have bought it over the years in a hug pullbacks then bail out as soon as the stock recovers.  This is the the classic, "I wished I owned it but am too chicken to pay a huge multiple" stock.  But I keep selling it thinking I can pick up better value elsewhere. At somepoint Starbucks will become like McDonalds (saturated, resented, hated, a symbol of bad health and growing slowly) and growth will be difficult to find.  But for now, they have a great product:
1. Their product is legal
2. Their product is addictive
3. They provide one of the only remaining public places for community that remain after big box stores like Walmart and Home Depot come in and wipe out downtowns. 
4. China likes coffee
5. Every time they open a store people crowd in.

So heck, I will try to buy the stock if it ever has a pullback - until that time I can find other values around.

Disclosure and Confessions
I am short puts on SBUX.  The stock has to drop by 50% to make these puts have any value.
I have owned and traded SBUX in the past two years.
I avoid buying coffee/lattes at Starbucks whenever possible, but this is not always possible.  I do not think they are a particularly evil company I just like to promote diversity whenever possible and since Starbuck represents standardization of culture I try to avoid them.  I even like their coffee, I just would rather support small cafes like Grounded on Jane Street in Manhattan's West Village. 
I own Wal-Mart (WMT) thought I also avoid shopping their.  But darn they sell stuff at a good price.



Photo by Heath and the BLT Boys

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nstark/260197635/



Disclaimer:  Nothing in this blog is meant to be specific financial advice or a recommendation to buy or sell.  I do not give investment advice.  Do your own research.  Do not rely on anything in this weblog to make investment decisions.  I do not log all my trades here. I only describe or mention those that I think might be interesting. Consult an investment professional familiar with your specific financial situation before buying or selling any security.